Dear Paolo

Just a quick email to let you and your families know that we are all safely back in NZ. We had a wonderful two days in Roma and took a sightseeing bus to the Vatican on the Sunday, arriving in time for the Pope's blessing which was very special. We even had a meal out at a restaurant called La Lampada near our hotel. Guess what Michelle ordered- Bistecca! I had Taglioni( I think) and fagiolini which were not as good as Giovanna's and Susanna's! Ros and Arianna had Spaghetti with pomadoro.

The flight back was long and tiring especially the seven hours at Dubai in the middle of the night but we all arrived safely in Auckland. I was glad to be able to hand Arianna over to her mother safely in the Auckland Airport. We only made one mistake. Arianna took her gifts in her in flight luggage and we suddenly realised that we could not take on board the beautiful bottle of wine which Micol's family had given her. She had planned to keep it forever but instead we had to let it go which really hurt. I felt terrible that I had forgotten to warn her.Also in Auckland Ros left to stay with her friends, Peter and Shirley, for a couple of days in Whangarei.

Michelle and I travelled on down to Palmerston North and Michelle's family were waiting to see her so once again it was good to hand her safely over.We both have to start school tomorrow morning which will be hard after all our adventures.

My husband was waiting to pick me up and we have had a good catch-up with our family this weekend so I have seen my little grandson again. It is nice to have been missed.

I cannot thank you all enough.We have had so many wonderful experiences which we will never forget. The girls and I will have a sort out of the photos and pick some of the best out. They will do a power point presentation at Hato Paora in the next few weeks and then we will be in touch again.